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On 7 February, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Koichi Takemasa. The parties discussed bilateral dialogue between the two countries, including economic relations, as well as co-operation within international organisations and other current issues such as the UN reform, climate change and partnership between the EU and Japan.
During the meeting, Mr Riekstins and Mr Takemasa expressed gratification at the good bilateral relations between Latvia and Japan, which is demonstrated by a regular exchange of high level visits and successful contacts in the field of science and culture.
While speaking about the economic relations, the parties shared the opinion that over the recent years, the economic co-operation between both countries has increased in intensity, with a vast unexplored potential still remaining for the development of mutual contacts among businesses.
"We would like to continue the ongoing successful co-operation in the field of promoting economic partnership. There is a growing interest among Latvia's business community in the possibilities to expand business in Japan, as the Japanese market is stable, secure and in demand of quality products with a high value added, which Latvian producers are able to provide," indicated the Foreign Minister of Latvia.
Maris Riekstins noted with gratification the Japanese tourists' increasing interest in Latvia that was facilitated by charter flights launched in 2009 between Riga and Tokyo.
Both parties also discussed the outcome of the Copenhagen climate summit and the issues related to further commitments in this context. Mr Riekstins briefed his Japanese colleague about the European Union's position in climate change talks.
With regard to the reform of the United Nations, Minister Riekstins and State Secretary Takemasa were of the one mind that the organisation should grow more effective in order to respond to challenges of our time. Latvia supports the reform of the UN Security Council to increase its effectiveness.
During the discussion, both sides also focused on the issues of cooperation between Japan and the EU. Given the fact that the EU-Japan Action Plan for 2010-2011 is drawing to a close, the European Union intends to launch official consultations with Japan on drafting a new framework document. Such a new instrument would provide an opportunity for an enhanced EU-Japanese co-operation, in the fields of security, economics and trade in particular.
Besides, both officials reviewed co-operation within international organisations and a mutual exchange of votes for their respective candidates.
The State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Koichi Takemasa, has held his position since 2009, and at this year's Munich Conference he was Head of the Japanese delegation. This was the first meeting between Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and State Secretary Takemasa.
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